Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. found that the Indians and negroes combined had demanded a surrender of that work; the Spanish garrison was too weak to defend it, and there were circumstances reported producing a strong conviction in my mind, that, if not instigated by the Spanish authorities, the Indians had received the means of carrying on the war from that quarter; foreign agents, who have been long practising their intrigues and villanies in this country, had free access into the fort; St. Marks was necessary, as a depot, to insure success to my operations. These considerations determined me to occupy it with an American force. An inventory of Spanish property, munitions of war, &c., has been taken and receipted for; personal rights and private property have been respected; and the commandant and garrison furnished with transportation to Pensacola. My correspondence with the Spanish commandants, the evidences under which I acted, and a detailed account of my operations, will be furnished you as early as practicable. Success depends upon the rapidity of my movements; to-morrow I shall march for the Suwanee river, the destroying of the establishments on which will, in my opinion, put a final close to this savage war. Captain McKeever, of the Navy, cruising at my request on this coast, has been fortunate enough to secure Francis, or Hillis Hajo, the great prophet, and Hornattlemied, an old Red Stick chief. They visited his vessel under an impression they were English; from whom, as they stated, supplies of munitions of war, &c., under late promises, were expected. Arbuthnot, a Scotchman, and suspected as an instigator of this savage war, was found in St. Marks; he is in con finement, until evidences of his guilt can be collected. I am your most obedient servant, ANDREW JACKSON, Major Gen. commanding. CAMP, 14 MILES FROM ST. MARKS, On march to Suwanee, April 9, 1818. From evidences furnished me by a Mr. Hambly, there is little room to doubt but that one of the chiefs, found slain on the field, in advance of the Mickasukian villages, was Kenhagee. Francis, or Hillis Hajo, and Hornattlemied, the prime instigators of this war, have been hung. The latter commanded the party who so inhumanly sacrificed Scott and his companions. Colonel Dyer, with the remainder of the Tennessee volunteers, is in the neighborhood, and will unite with me to-morrow. AT MANACKS, April 15, 1818. DEAR SIR: Since I last wrote to you I have received intelligence which makes it necessary for me to return to St. Stephens. I learn that the Indians who committed the late murders in this neighborhood were seen a few days since at Pensacola. My situation is extremely unpleasant. I am without funds for the protection of the territory, and totally ignorant of the views of the Government with respect to Florida. A friendly and intelligent Indian has informed me that the hostile party, by whom we have been annoyed, are two miles south of the Florida line, on a creek called Yellow Water, from whence they make incursions upon us. And yet I have received no intimation from the Executive of the United States which authorizes me to send troops into the Spanish territory. What orders have been issued to General Jackson on that subject I know not; nor indeed am I acquainted in any degree with the arrangements on the part of the United States for prosecuting the present war. I should be glad to ascertain the views of the Government. We have no mails at present, and I send this letter to Georgia by travellers whom I have met this evening on my route to St. Stephens. WM. W. BIBB. Hon. JOHN C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War. HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, Bowlegs' Town, Suwanee river, April 20, '18. SIR: My last communication, dated Camp, before St. Mark's, April 8, and those to which it referred, advised you of my movements and operations up to that date; and, as I then advised you, I marched from that place on the morning of the 9th. On the evening of the 10th I was joined by the rear of the Tennessee volunteers, also by the Indians under General McIntosh, whom I had left at Mickasukee to scour the country around that place. Although the weather has been dry and pleasant, and the waters had subsided in a great degree, our march might be said to have been through water, which kept the infantry wet to the middle, and the depth of the swamps, added to the want of forage, occasioned the horses to give out daily in great numbers. On the morning of the 12th, near Econfinnah, or Natural Bridge, a party of Indians were discovered on the margin of a swamp, and attacked by General McIntosh, and about fifty Tennessee volunteers, who routed them, killing thirty-seven warriors, and capturing six men and ninety-seven women and children; also recapturing a white woman who had been taken at the massacre of Scott. The friendly Indians also took some horses and about five hundred head of cattle from the enemy, who proved to be McQueen's party. Upon the application of an old woman of the prisoners, I agreed that if McQueen was tied and carried to the commandant of St. Mark's, her people should be received in peace, carried to the upper tribes of the Creek nation, and there provisioned until they could raise their own crops. She appeared much pleased with these terms, and I set her at liberty, with written instructions to the commandant of St. Mark's to that effect. Having received no further intelligence from McQueen, I am induced to believe the old woman has complied with her part of the obligation. From St. Mark's I marched with eight days' rations, those that joined me having but five; this was done under the expectation of reaching this place in that time, founded on the report of Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. As soon as time will permit, I shall forward you a detailed account of the various little affairs with the enemy, accompanied with reports of the commanding officers of detachments; suffice it for the present to add that every officer and soldier under my command, when danger appeared, showed a steady firmness, which convinced me that, in the event of a stubborn conflict, they would have realized the best hopes of their country and General. I believe I may say that the destruction of this place, with the possession of St. Marks, having on the night of the 18th captured the late Lieutenant Ambrister, of the British marine corps, and, as represented by Arbuthnot, successor to Woodbine, will end the Indian war for the present; and should it be renewed, the position taken, which ought to be held, will enable a small party to put it down promptly. my faithful Indian guide, which I should have accomplished but for the poverty of my horses, and the continued sheets of water through which we had to pass. On the morning of the 15th, my scouts overtook a small party of Indians, killing one man, and capturing the residue, consisting of one man, and one woman and two children; and on that evening I encamped, as my guide supposed, within twelve miles of Suwanee. I marched very early on the 15th, under the hope of being able to encompass and attack the Indian and negro towns by one o'clock P. M., but much to my regret, at three o'clock, and after marching sixteen miles, we reached a remarkable pond, which my guide recollected, and reported to be distant six miles of the object of my march; here I should have halted for the night, had not six mounted Indians, (supposed to be spies,) who were discovered, effected their escape; this determined me to attempt, by a forced movement, to pre- I shall order, or take myself a reconnoissance vent the removal of their effects, and, if possi-west of the Appalachicola, at Pensacola point, ble, themselves, from crossing the river; for my where, I am informed, there are a few Red Sticks rations being out, it was all important to secure assembled, who are fed and supplied by the Govtheir supplies for the subsistence of my troops. ernor of Pensacola. My health being impaired, Accordingly my lines of attack were instantly as soon as the duty is performed, the positions formed and put in motion; and about sunset my taken, well garrisoned, and security given to the left flank column, composed of the 2d regiment of southern frontier, (if the Government have not Tennessee volunteers, commanded by Col. Will- active employ for me,) I shall return to Nashiamson, and a part of the friendly Indians under Col. ville to regain my health. The health of the Kanard, having approached the left flank of the troops is much impaired, and I have ordered the centre town and commenced their attack, caused Georgia troops to Hartford to be mustered, paid, me to quicken the pace of the centre, composed and discharged, the General having communiof the regulars, Georgia militia, and my volun-cated his wishes, and that of his troops, to be orteer Kentucky and Tennessee guards, in order to press the enemy in his centre, whilst the right column, composed of the 1st regiment of Tennessee volunteers, under Colonel Dyer, and a part of the friendly Indians, headed by General McIntosh, who had preceded me, were endeavoring to turn his left and cut off his retreat to the river. They, however, having been previously informed of our force, by a precipitate retreat, soon crossed the river, where it is believed Colonel Kanard, with his Indians, did him considerable injury. Nine negroes and two Indians were found dead, and two negro men made prisoners. On the 17th, foraging parties were sent out, who found a considerable quantity of corn and some cattle. On the 18th, having obtained some small craft, I ordered General Gaines across the river with a strong detachment, and two days' provision, to pursue the enemy; the precipitancy of their flight was soon discovered by the great quantity of goods, corn, &c., strewed through the swamps, and convinced General Gaines that pursuit was in vain; nine Indians and five negro prisoners were taken by our Indians. The evidence of the haste with which the enemy had fled induced the General to confine his reconnoissance to search for cattle and horses; both of which were much wanted by the army. About thirty head of cattle were procured, but, from the reports accompanying General Gaines's, which, in due time, will be forwarded to you, and the disobedience of his orders by the Indians, not one pound was Hon. JOHN C. CALHOUN, brought into camp. dered directly there, and reporting that they have ter, and Mr. Cook, who was captured with him, ANDREW JACKSON, Secretary of War. Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, rectly down the Appalachicola river to meet with Fort St. Mark's, April 20, 1818. and protect the expected supplies from New OrSIR: I wrote you from Bowlegstown on the leans. These were received on the 25th of March, 20th instant. On the night of the same day, I and on the next day I was prepared for active received the expected despatch from my aid-de- operations. For a detailed account of my movecamp, Lieutenant Gadsden, communicating the ments from that period to this day you are respectsuccess of his expedition, and on the next day, as fully referred to the report prepared by my adjusoon as the sick of my army were despatched tant general, accompanied with Captain Hugh down the Suwanee river, to be conveyed in the Young's topographical sketch of the route and captured schooner to St. Mark's, I took up the distance performed. This has been principally a line of march for that fort. I arrived at this place war of movements. The enemy, cut off from last evening, performing a march of one hundred their strongholds, or deceived in the promised and seven miles in less than five days. Lieuten- foreign aid, have uniformly avoided a general enant Gadsden had reached it a few hours before gagement. Their resistance has generally been me. He communicates having found among the feeble; and in the partial rencontres into which papers of Arbuthnot, Ambrister, and Cook, letters, they seem to have been involuntarily forced, the memorials, &c., all pointing out the instigators regulars, volunteers, and militia, under my comof this savage war, and, in some measure, in- mand, realized my expectations; every privation, volving the British Government in the agency. fatigue, and exposure was encountered with the These will be forwarded you in a detailed re-spirit of soldiers, and danger was met with a deport I purpose communicating to you as early as practicable. gree of fortitude calculated to strengthen the confidence I had reposed in them. The old woman spoken of in my last commuOn the commencement of my operations, I was nication to you, who had promised to use her in- strongly impressed with a belief that this Influence in having McQueen captured and deliv-dian war has been excited by some unprincipled ered up, has not been heard of. From signs discovered on the opposite shore of the St. Mark's river, I am induced to believe that that Indian party is still in this neighborhood. A detachment will be sent out to reconnoitre the country, to receive them as friends, if disposed to surrender, or inflict merited chastisement, if still hostile. I shall leave this in two or three days for Fort ANDREW JACKSON, Hon. J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War. HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, Fort Gadsden, May 5, 1818. SIR: I returned to this post with my army on the evening of the 2d instant, and embrace an early opportunity of furnishing you a detailed report of my operations to the east of the Appalachicola river. In the several communications addressed to you from Hartford, Fort Scott, and this place, I have stated the condition of the army on my assuming the immediate command, the embarrassment occasioned from the want of provisions, the privations of my troops on their march from the frontiers of Georgia, and the circumstances which compelled me to move di foreign or private agents. The outlaws of the old Red Stick party had been too severely convinced, and the Seminoles were too weak in numbers to believe that they could possibly alone maintain a war with even partial success against the United States. Firmly convinced, therefore, that succor had been promised from some quarter, or that they had been deluded into a belief that America dare not violate the neutrality of Spain by penetrating to their towns, I early determined to ascertain these facts, and so direct my movements as to undeceive the Indians. After the destruction of the Mickasukian villages, I marched for St. Mark's. The correspondence between myself and the Spanish commandant, in which I demanded the occupancy of that fortress with an American garrison, accompanies this. It had been reported to me, direct from the Governor of Pensacola, that the Indians and negroes unfriend ly to the United States had demanded of the commandant of St. Mark's a supply of ammunition, munitions of war, &c., threatening, in the event of a noncompliance, to take possession of the fort. The Spanish commandant acknowledged the defenceless state of his fortress, and his inability to defend it; and the Governor of Pensacola expressed similar apprehensions. The Spanish agents throughout the Floridas had uniformly disavowed having any connexion with the Indians, and acknowledged the obligations of His Catholic Majesty, under existing treaties, to restrain their outrages against the citizens of the United States. Indeed, they declared that the Seminole Indians were viewed as alike hostile to the Spanish Government, and that the will remained, though the power was wanting, to inflict merited chastisement on this lawless tribe. It was, therefore, to be supposed that the American army, impelled by the immutable laws of self-defence to penetrate the territory of His Catholic Majesty, to fight his battles, and even to relieve from a cruel Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. wickedness, corruption and barbarity, at which the heart sickens, and in which, in this enlightened age, it ought not scarcely to be believed that a Christian nation would have participated; and yet the British Government is involved in the agency. If Arbuthnot and Ambrister are not convicted as the authorized agents of Great Britain, there is no room to doubt but that that Government had a knowledge of their assumed character, and was well advised of the measures which they had adopted to excite the negroes and Indians in East Florida to war against the United States. I hope the execution of these two unprincipled villains will prove an awful example to the world, and convince the Government of Great Britain, as well as her subjects, that certain, though slow retribution awaits those unchristian wretches, who, by false promises, delude and excite an Indian tribe to all the horrid deeds of savage war. bondage some of his own subjects, would have been received as allies, hailed as deliverers, and every facility afforded to them to terminate speedily and successfully this savage war. Fort St. Mark's could not be maintained by the Spanish force garrisoning it. The Indians and regroes viewed it as an asylum, if driven from their towns, and were preparing to occupy it in this event. It was necessary to anticipate their movements, independent of the position being deemed essential as a depot, on which the success of my future operations measurably depended. In the spirit of friendship, therefore, I demanded its surrender to the army of the United States until the close of the Seminole war. The Spanish commandant required time to reflect. It was granted. A negotiation ensued, and an effort was made to protract it to an unreasonable length. In the conversations between my aidde-camp, Lieutenant Gadsden, and the Spanish commandant, circumstances transpired convict- Previous to my leaving Fort Gadsden, I had ing him of a disposition to favor the Indians, occasion to address a communication to the and of having taken an active part in aiding and Governor of Pensacola on the subject of perabetting them in this war. I hesitated, there- mitting supplies to pass up the Escambia river fore, no longer; and as I could not be received to Fort Crawford. This letter, with another in friendship, I entered the fort by violence. from St. Mark's, on the subject of some United Two light companies of the 7th regiment of States' clothing, shipped in a vessel in the eminfantry, and one of the 4th, under the com- ploy of the Spanish Government, to that post, I mand of Major Twiggs, were ordered to ad- now enclose, with his reply. The Governor of vance, lower the Spanish colors, and hoist the Pensacola's refusal of my demand cannot but be star-spangled banner on the ramparts of Fort viewed as evincing a hostile feeling on his part, St. Mark's. The order was executed promptly. particularly in connexion with some circumNo resistance was attempted on the part of the stances reported to me from the most unquestionSpanish garrison. The duplicity of the Span-able authority. It has been stated that the Indians ish commandant of St. Mark's, in professing at war with the United States have free access friendship towards the United States while he into Pensacola; that they are kept advised from was actually aiding and supplying her savage that quarter of all our movements; that they are enemies, throwing open the gates of his garrison supplied from thence with ammunition and muto their free access, appropriating the King's nitions of war; and that they are now collecting stores to their use, issuing ammunition and mu- in large bodies, to the amount of four or five nitions of war to them, and knowingly purcha- hundred warriors, in that city; that inroads sing of them property plundered from the citi- from thence have lately been made on the Alazens of the United States, is clearly evinced by bama, in one of which eighteen settlers fell by the documents accompanying my correspond- the tomahawk. These statements compel me to make a movement to the west of the Appalachicola; and, should they prove correct, Pensacola must be occupied with an American force, the Governor treated according to his deserts, or as policy may dictate. I shall leave strong garrisons in Fort St. Mark's, Fort Gadsden, and Fort Scott; and in Pensacola, should it become necessary to possess it. ence. In Fort Saint Mark's, as an inmate in the family of the Spanish commandant, an Englishman, by the name of Arbuthnot, was found. Unable satisfactorily to explain the objects of his visiting this country, and there being a combination of circumstances to justify a suspicion that his views were not honest, he was ordered in close confinement. The capture of his schooner, near the mouth of Suwanee river, by my aidde-camp, Lieutenant Gadsden, and the papers found on board, unveiled his corrupt transactions, as well as those of a Captain Ambrister, late of the British colonial marine corps, taken as a prisoner near Bowlegs' town. These individuals were tried, under my orders, by a special court of select officers, legally convicted as exciters of this savage and negro war, legally condemned, and most justly punished for their iniquities. The proceedings of the court-martial in this case, with the volume of testimony justifying their condemnation, present scenes of It becomes my duty to state it as my confirmed opinion that, so long as Spain has not the power or will to enforce the treaties by which she is solemnly bound to preserve the Indians within her territory at peace with the United States, no security can be given to our southern frontier, without occupying a cordon of posts along the seashore. The moment the American army retires from Florida, the war hatchet will be again raised, and the same scenes of indiscriminate massacre with which our frontier settlers have been visited will be repeated. So long as the Indians within the territory of Spain are exposed to the delusions of false prophets, and the poison of foreign intrigue; so long as they can receive ammunition, munitions of war, &c., from pretended traders, or Spanish commandants, it will be impossible to restrain their outrages. The burning of their towns, the destroying of their stock and provisions, will produce but temporary embarrassments; resupplied by Spanish authorities, they may concentrate or disperse at will, and keep up a lasting predatory warfare against the frontiers of the United States, as expensive to our Government as harassing to our troops. The savages, therefore, must be made dependant on us, and cannot be kept at peace without being persuaded of the certainty of chastisement being inflicted on the commission of the first offence. I trust, therefore, that the measures which have been pursued will meet the approbation of the President of the United States. They have been adopted in pursuance of your instructions, and under a firm conviction that they alone were calculated to insure "peace and security to the southern frontier of Georgia." The army will move on the 7th from hence, crossing the Appalachicola river at the Ochesee bluff, about thirty miles above this. ANDREW JACKSON, Major Gen. commanding. Hon. J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War. HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, now advanced within a mile and a half of Kinghajah's town, when a number of Indians were discovered herding cattle on the margin of a large pond. The General ordered the right and left columns to advance, with a view of cutting off their retreat, and at the same time instructed the advance light company, under Major Muhlenburg, the guard, under Major Nicks, together with the small companies composing his life guard, under Captains Dunlap and Crittenden, to advance in support of the spies, in the event of a general engagement. The spy companies commenced the attack, and a brisk running fire was kept up on both sides for some minutes, when the enemy divided, the spy companies pursuing those on the right; and Lieutenant Colonel Elliott having turned their flank, became generally engaged, and bore them over to the left column, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell, within half gunshot of each other, when they were assailed by both flanks, and would all have fallen, had not the volunteers taken up the impression, from the similarity of dress, that some of the friendly warriors had reached in pursuit of the enemy, which occasioned the firing to cease for a short time, when a number made good their retreat into the swamp. Captain Crittenden's company, being on horseback, was unable to reach the head of Lieutenant Colonel Elliott's column, when they dismounted, and operated against the enemy. Major Muhlenburg's company, the advance guard, and Captain Dunlap's company, being on foot, were not able to reach the scene of Appalachicola river, May 3, 1818. action in time. The right column of Georgia SIR: I have the honor to report that the army militia, on nearing the pond, filed round it; and under the immediate command of Major General Colonel King, with his regiment, was ordered to Andrew Jackson took up the line of march on advance through it, to support the column of the 26th day of March last, with eight days' ra- horse, should it be found necessary; which was tions, and lay in advance of this post about six executed by the colonel with great promptness. miles on the 29th, at Okolokne river, when nine- The conduct of the officers and soldiers engaged teen canoes were made, and the principal part of on this occasion was, in every respect, praisethe army crossed by eight o'clock, P. M., the re-worthy; our loss, one man of Captain Andrews's sidue next morning; when the march was again company killed, and four of Captain Evans's comresumed at eleven o'clock, A. M. On this eve- pany of Tennessee volunteers wounded. The rening Brevet Major Twiggs of the 7th infantry ports give fourteen killed and several wounded was detached with one company and about two of the enemy, and four women prisoners, from hundred warriors, with orders to advance on an whom we learned that three hundred warriors Indian village called Tallahassie, and surprise it had advanced from the town to aid those engaat day-break. On his near approach, he des- ged, and, on seeing the advance of an army, fled patched a party to ascertain its situation, who re- precipitately. The army now advanced upon ported it evacuated some days before. On the the town, which was found deserted by the enmorning of the 31st he entered the village, having emy; and, on reaching the square, discovered a previously sent out parties to reconnoitre. Two red pole planted at the council-house, on which of the enemy were made prisoners, one of whom were suspended about fifty fresh scalps, taken made his escape from the Indians before he was from the heads of extreme age down to the tenbrought into camp. The army passed the village der infant of both sexes, and, in an adjacent house, about twelve o'clock, and encamped near Micka- near three hundred more, which bore the appearsuky, when intelligence was received of the ap-ance of having been the barbarous trophies of proach of a detachment of mounted volunteers from Tennessee, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Elliott, near four hundred strong. On the morning of the 1st of April the army formed and halted until their arrival, when they were ordered to form the advance of each flank, with Captains Russell and Evans's companies, as spies, with Captain John Gordon. The army settled hostility for three or four years past. The army continued the pursuit to a large pond of water, which is eight miles in length, varying in width from six hundred to four thousand yards, and from two to five feet deep, through which the army passed, when the approach of night induced the commanding General to draw off his troops. On the succeeding morning, Brevet Ma |
